Van vs Diyarbakir: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Van costs roughly 8% less than Diyarbakir. Diyarbakir leads on digital nomad infrastructure, with faster average internet speeds. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Van is approximately 21% less expensive than Diyarbakir based on cost of living including rent. This makes Van a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Van has a FIRE Score of 83/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Van is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Van
Van is a bargain hunter's city: a one-bedroom in the center runs $336/mo and a single adult can live on a budget tier of $389/mo, all against a cost of living index of 26/100. The catch is earning locally, where the average monthly net salary is $564/mo, so most foreigners arrive with remote work or savings, and the Turkey Digital Nomad Visa demands $3,000/mo. Winters at 1727 m are brutal, English is limited, and the expat community is very few, which suits self-sufficient types and frustrates anyone craving company. Come for the FIRE math of 83/100, not the retiree scene at 55/100.
About Turkey
Best for digital nomads meeting the $3,000/mo income requirement for Turkey’s dedicated visa. COL is 61% lower than NYC with a single monthly budget of $646.20 excluding rent. However, internists and a moderate political stability score pose risks for long-term stays.
$2,438/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Diyarbakir
Diyarbakir is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $405/mo and a single person spending about $350/mo excluding rent, but the average local net salary of $844/mo means most residents are not getting rich here. The expat community is very few and English is common only in tourist areas, so anyone expecting an easy social landing in Kayapınar should look elsewhere. Add an air quality index of 75 and extreme summer heat, and this is a city for budget-focused, self-sufficient people rather than retirees or digital nomads chasing comfort.
About Turkey
Best for digital nomads meeting the $3,000/mo income requirement for Turkey’s dedicated visa. COL is 61% lower than NYC with a single monthly budget of $646.20 excluding rent. However, internists and a moderate political stability score pose risks for long-term stays.
$2,299/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Van | Diyarbakir |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $336.32 | $405.35 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $238.68 | $364.82 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $542.46 | $709.36 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $379.72 | $567.49 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 16.2Mbps | 40Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Van | Diyarbakir |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $768/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $403/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $365/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $105/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $48.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $132/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $118/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Van vs Diyarbakir -- Frequently Asked Questions
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